June 17, 1864---The Second Battle of Petersburg (Day Three); The Battle of Lynchburg, VA

JUNE 17, 1864:           

The Second Battle of Petersburg (Day Three):         

Skirmishing continues around Petersburg. Union troops and Confederate troops continue to arrive from different directions. Although the Federals outnumber the Rebels significantly, no attempts are yet made to isolate the city by surrounding it and cutting its supply lines. The Union does capture more sections of the Dimmock Line, forcing the Rebels into an ever-shrinking pocket around Petersburg.

The Battle of Lynchburg:         

As General David Hunter U.S.A. retreats westward out of the Shenandoah Valley and effectively out of the battle for Virginia, he sacks Lynchburg, Virginia. During the sacking, a Confederate strike force under the dour, humorless, vulgar, messianic but effective General Jubal Early C.S.A. drives him off. The Union loses 75 men out of 17,000. The Confederacy loses 6 out of 14,000.

It is enough for Hunter. He double-times it into West Virginia with Early snapping at his heels like a vicious little dog, covering 60 miles in two days.  Hunter is essentially out of the war. Early takes control of the Valley, and uses it as his unencumbered highway to strike north, deep into Union territory.